The purpose of the undergraduate
program is to apprehend, glorify, and respond to God through fostering the
study and understanding of human and animal behavior and information
processing, as well as the relevant physiological correlates. Students in the
program are prepared to meet academic standards required for graduate work in
any number of areas (psychology, neuroscience, medicine, law, theology,
etc.). They also are exposed to principles of human behavior that promote success
in any area of life, such as parenting, the job market, etc.

Course offerings provide insight into 1) methods for
studying human and animal behavior; 2) current research findings and major
psychological theories, including their historical and theoretical underpinnings;
3) integration of Christian faith with the field of psychology; and 4)
hands-on experience with the application of psychology in various venues
(research in the laboratory, practical internships at off-campus locations).

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology,
the department offers a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling, a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Master
of Arts in Counseling Ministries and a Doctor
of Psychology degree.

The program provides a foundation of knowledge in the
subfields of psychology, which include the areas of cognition, development, perception,
neuroscience, statistics, research methods, experimental, social, and
clinical psychology. This training lays the groundwork for success in
graduate programs in psychology, as well as in other related fields, and in a
number of other job sectors such as non-profit and government social
services. Thus, the Psychology Department prepares students for opportunities
in a variety of post-graduation career options. The major introduces students
to the accumulated literature in psychology and develops their abilities for
understanding, evaluating, and applying psychological knowledge. Students are
also trained in the research methodologies utilized in psychology and
provided with opportunities for practical experience in pre-professional
activities related to basic and applied psychology. An important goal in all
our courses is to help students in their ability to appropriately interrelate
their study of psychology and the Christian faith.

Requirements
for a major are 36 hours in psychology, including PSYC 101 Introduction to
Psychology, PSYC 268
Statistics, PSYC 269
Experimental Psychology, and PSYC
494 Personality. Additionally, two foundational processes courses
must be taken from among the following: PSYC 343 Sensation and Perception, PSYC 345 Learning, PSYC 351 Cognition, PSYC 355 Advanced Statistics and Psychological Testing,
or PSYC 361 Behavioral
Neuroscience. Two hours of PSYC
481 Advanced Seminar in Psychology are also required. Finally, 10
elective credits of psychology coursework are required to round out the 36
credits. Additional information concerning requirements and electives for the
major can be found in the Undergraduate Psychology Student Handbook.

Internship.
Students are encouraged to take an internship (PSYC 496) to augment their classroom experience.
Internships for four credit hours are regarded as the norm. Eight credit hour
internships are also permitted; however, only four hours of internship credit
may be counted toward the major credit hours requirement. Additional credits
taken in internship will satisfy the College requirement for general
upper-division electives.

Research.
The Department of Psychology also encourages undergraduate students to pursue
collaborative research (PSYC 497)
in preparation for their graduate studies in the field of psychology.

Honors.
The department offers an honors program for those students who meet the
academic qualifications and are approved by department faculty.

Requirements
for a minor in Psychology are 20 hours. Any undergraduate
psychology course offered by the department can be used to meet this
requirement except PSYC 496
or PSYC 499.

Psychology
Courses (PSYC)

Note: Undergraduate
courses are designated 101-499.

PSYC 101.
Introduction to Psychology. Provides an introduction to psychology as a social
and behavioral science, focusing on its major topics, methods, theories,
applications, and the integration of psychology and Christianity.

PSYC 269.
Experimental Psychology. An examination of the research methods of psychology
and the philosophy behind their use and an opportunity to apply these skills
in research. Prerequisite: PSYC 268.

PSYC 317.
Developmental Psychology. An overview of the major theories, concepts, issues,
data, and research methodologies of developmental psychology across the life
span.

PSYC 343.
Sensation and Perception.A survey of the current scientific models, concepts,
and integrative theories that encompass the field of human sensory and
perceptual studies, with a special emphasis on the neurological and cognitive
features of vision. Prerequisite: PSYC 269.

PSYC 345.
Learning.Examines
learning through the Pavlovian and Skinnerian traditions from the early
twentieth century up to the present day. Students will apply their course
learning outside the classroom by engaging in behavioral training with an
animal. Prerequisite: PSYC 269

PSYC 348.
Abnormal Psychology. An overview of the major theories, concepts, issues,
data, and research methodologies of abnormal psychology. Emphasis on
assessment, treatment, and prevention. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 351.
Cognition.A
survey of the current scientific models, concepts, and integrative theories
that encompass the field of human thought such as information processing,
language, attention, and problem solving, as well as human perceptual
experience and consciousness. Prerequisite:PSYC 269.

PSYC 352.
Contemporary Clinical Psychology. An overview of the major contemporary approaches to
psychotherapy used in mental health settings. Includes an emphasis on the
counselor as a person and as a professional, ethical issues in counseling
practice, and essential counseling skills. Prerequisite: PSYC 348.

PSYC 361.
Behavioral Neuroscience. An overview of the neuroanatomical, neurophysiological,
and neurochemical underpinnings of sensory systems and the expression of
behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 269 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 371.
Introduction to Psychopharmacology. This course examines the psychological effects and
neurobiological mechanisms of action of psychoactive drugs, drugs that are
used in the treatment of psychopathological disorders, and recreational drugs
of abuse. This course is designed to provide undergraduate students
interested in clinical psychology or psychopharmacology with an overview of
the effects and mechanisms of substances which act on both the body and the
brain. Prerequisite: PSYC
361 (2)

PSYC 431. Psychology
of Human Sexuality. An examination of human sexuality from the
physiological, psychological, and social context. Topics include theories of
psychosexual development, the nature of contemporary gender roles, ethnic
identity, theological views of authentic sexuality, and cultural factors that
impact sexual views and behaviors.

PSYC 481.
Advanced Seminar in Psychology:

PSYC
481-1. Theories and Methods of Integration. Introduces students to
approaches to integrating Biblical and theological perspectives with
psychological science and practice, including issues regarding the
relationship between science and religion, contemporary models of integration
and their critics, and the prescriptive nature of psychology as social
science. Requires Junior or Senior status. (2)

PSYC 481-2.
Advanced Topics in Abnormal Psychology. Provides students with an in-depth understanding of
controversial issues within the field of abnormal psychology, including
ethical, legal, political, and social issues. Topics pertaining to the
integration of abnormal psychology with Christian faith are discussed. Prerequisite:
PSYC 348. Requires Junior or
Senior status. (2)

PSYC
481-3. Psychology of Religion.Draws upon foundational studies in psychology to
explore religious experience from a social scientific perspective, including
the exploration of the complex relationships between personality dynamics and
faith. Requires Junior or Senior status. (2)

PSYC 481-4.
Psychology of the Family. An overview of developmental and systemic theories
of family functioning, with an emphasis on the impact of family on individual
development. Requires Junior or Senior status. (2)

PSYC
481-5. History of Psychology.An examination of the historical development of the
field of psychology with specific emphases on its relationship with science,
its engagement with Christian religious belief and practice, and its role as
an intellectual force in Western culture. Requires Junior or Senior status.
(2)

PSYC 481-7.
Men and Addictions. This course introduces students to the distinct ways
in which men suffer from addictions. It explores the underlying genetic,
neurophysiological, behavioral, cognitive, spiritual, and social factors that
predispose men towards various addictions and their treatments. Requires
Junior or Senior status (2)

PSYC
481-8. Current Issues in School Psychology. A survey of current
psychological issues in schools including the exploration of individual,
family, and societal factors contributing to students' functioning. Emphasis
is placed on interventions provided in the school setting. Topics such as
school violence, learning disabilities, gender issues, counseling in schools,
and academic intervention will be covered. Requires Junior or Senior status.
(2)

PSYC 495.
Independent Study. Individual library or experimental research carried
on under the supervision of a staff member. Prerequisite: consent of the
instructor. (1-4)

PSYC 496.
Internship.
Credit given for participation in the department's internship program.
Prerequisites: five courses in psychology; junior or senior standing with
Psychology major. (4 or 8)

PSYC 497.Collaborative Research Groups. Credit given for
participation in faculty sponsored ongoing research program. The course may
be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits, 4 of which may count as major
elective. Prerequisite: PSYC 269 (2 or 4)

PSYC 499.
Honors Thesis. An independent project requiring original research developed in a
scholarly paper and culminating in an oral examination. By application only.
(4 or 8)